Olmert gains backing from his party

Isreali leader says he intends to stay in office despite report

May 3, 2007|By Richard Boudreaux Los Angeles Times

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert won critical backing from his party Wednesday night, beating back a move by his highest-ranking deputy and other party dissidents to oust him in the wake of a damaging report on the conduct of last summer's war in Lebanon.

The Israeli leader called an emergency session of his Kadima party's 29 members of parliament after Tzipi Livni, who serves as deputy prime minister and foreign minister, told him he had lost the public's support and should step down.

But Olmert told the caucus that he intended to stay in office and lead an overhaul of Israel's national security apparatus "down to the last detail" recommended by the official panel of inquiry that censured him, his defense minister and the wartime chief of staff.

Participants in the three-hour meeting said just three lawmakers, including Livni, spoke out for Olmert's resignation. Outnumbered, the dissidents then joined in a statement of support for the prime minister's position, pledging to "preserve governmental stability."

"The party emerged united, and this is a great day for the party and for Olmert," said Shimon Peres, the government's third-ranking minister, who had lobbied to keep the party in line.

The prime minister is not out of trouble yet. His opponents plan a rally tonight in Tel Aviv, and the turnout could determine whether the storm of criticism unleashed Monday by the inquiry panel's report grows or fizzles.

Even if Olmert weathers the crisis, some Israeli analysts predict that his departure is only a matter of time. Polls say at least two-thirds of Israelis want him to go, reflecting their sense of defeat in a 34-day war that failed to destroy Hezbollah or secure the release of two captured soldiers.

The report declared Olmert responsible for "serious failures" of judgment in rushing the army unprepared into battle.